GOODBYE 20's , HELLO 30's !!!


By Nana Akua
Sexy Akua

To someone younger than me, thirty years may seem like a long time. To those who are older, it may seem like only a few years. There is still so much I want to learn, so I have decided to celebrate the occasion by making a list of the most important things I have learnt in the the few years I have spent on this planet.

I will be 30 years old tomorrow, and I am extremely excited 😊
In the last 30 years, I've learned a great deal — far more than any blog post could ever contain. I realize there is still a lot I don't understand, but here's what I do know. I want to share those lessons with you all — and perhaps my younger self — as a reminder that we are all fumbling our way through life together.

In some ways, I wish I could travel back in time and teach my younger self all of these lessons. But, because I didn't get a time machine for my birthday, I'm hoping you'll find them useful. 

I participated in a fun photo shoot with a local photographer. They are outstanding at what they do. Check them out if you're in Accra!





Nana Akua Ohenewaa Owusu
   

1. Put on some makeup and get dressed up... However, do it for yourself and no one else!

2. Your parents are amazing; contact them more often!
They, too, are human and make mistakes. Make an effort to keep them in your life, set boundaries, but also enjoy having them as a part of it. They adore you, after all!

3. It is acceptable to say no. It's also fine if saying no disappoints others. You can only think about your own happiness. When you say no to one thing, you make room to say yes to something else you really desire.

4. Show respect to everyone. But don't be scared to speak up and stand your ground.

5. Unfollow anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself on social media.

6. Don't linger too long on your mistakes. Life is too short to be bitter; forgive yourself and move on.

7. You don't have to be married with 2.5 kids by the age of 25, or even 30. Take your time, and when the time comes, the time comes!

8. It's normal to be unsure about having children.

9. Gratitude is everything.

10. It's okay to be unique. Accept it.


 Nana Akua in a daring dress
                   

11. Keep an Open mind and Heart
Moving through life with a closed mind is the worst thing you can do. It's vital to hear other people's points of view, even if they disagree with your own. It not only promotes growth and understanding, but it also creates compassion and empathy.

12. For every door that closes, a window opens
Rejection is never easy, but it is a necessary part of life. Instead of obsessing on employment offers that never arrived or possibilities that passed you by, it is important to have an optimistic mindset. I promise that if you stay positive and keep working toward your objective, something else will appear.

13. Someone else's success doesn't diminish yours!
Just because others have done what you want to achieve doesn't imply you can't do it as well. No one else has your exact brand of magic. You will thrive in your own unique way.

14. Stop waiting for something to make you happy.
There will never be a perfect point in your life when you will 'finally be happy.' There is no amount of money or circumstance that will bring you that delight. Find joy in your life right now.

15. The entire world is a giant mirror full of lessons.
Every situation and person in your life is a reflection of yourself. The Universe brings these people or situations into your life to show you what you need to work on, accept, forgive, or let go of — everything has a lesson.

16. There will be good and bad days, which is completely normal.
You can feel like you can conquer the world one day and then want to stay in bed the next. That's quite normal. Don't berate yourself for it.

17. Patience is truly a virtue.
Despite the fact that we live in an age of instant gratification. Plant the seed, be patient, and stay joyous as you wait for the flower to bloom; slow and steady wins the race.

18. Take care of your mind.
Mental health is just as vital. Invest in a skilled therapist to truly heal those old hurts. Work on your mindset to rid yourself of negative thoughts that are holding you down.

19. Friendships that are built on tearing others down are not meant to last. It's okay if you don't have a large group of girlfriends. Having a few outstanding friends is preferable to having a slew of mediocre ones.

20. When you need help, ask for it. This is something I've struggled with over the years, but remembering that you have a support system and that they can assist you makes all the difference.

21. Not everyone will understand you. Hold on to the ones who see you for who you are.

22. No one can read your mind. If you have an opinion, express it. Don't expect others to predict your thoughts and emotions. Don't get upset if they don't do what you expected them to do. Just tell them.

23. Share your progress, not your goals. Working in public is something I strongly support. However, studies demonstrate that keeping one's intentions confidential increases one's chances of succeeding. Because you are frequently praised before you achieve your objectives, talking about them becomes a replacement for really accomplishing them. Sharing one's progress, on the other hand, has been shown to aid in the achievement of one's objectives. This is because they are praised for the process rather than the end product, which is a hypothetical future outcome. This is something I've discovered to be true. As a result, I keep my goals to myself while publicizing my progress.

24. Maintain your status as a student at all times. In 2018, I made the decision to return to school to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. In the year 2020, I resolved to learn how to build websites. I read books and watch documentaries every year. When I meet new individuals, I always inquire about their hobbies and interests. After you graduate from high school, you should continue to learn. Learning adds variety to life.

25. Suffering has significance. When I reflect on some of my most traumatic situations, I realize how they shaped who I am today. I used to attempt to block out my emotions. Now I accept the whole range of my feelings. The good, the bad, the happy, and the unhappy. Being alive is being able to feel.

26. Anger is never the answer. It's okay to be upset, disappointed, or dissatisfied. But being angry never got me anywhere. It is hard to be both compassionate and angry at the same time. When you're furious at someone, you can't put yourself in their shoes. Don't be upset.

27. You MUST travel the world! This is something I didn't do till I was 29 — travel more frequently and learn about Ghanaian and other countries' cultures and food! It's incredible!

28. Be in love with your body. It's been a constant struggle my entire life, but I finally feel better about my body. Yes, there are instances when I shame myself, but I always catch myself in the act and instantly stop. We may never be completely satisfied with our bodies, but we must learn to accept them. I'm still having trouble working out.

29. Work hard, but always make time to play
You've probably heard the phrase "work hard, play hard." It is, in my opinion, the finest method to approach work/life balance. Of course, depending on your hobbies and the period of your life, the "play" component will look very different. Let's face it: I'm not going out to nightclubs or parties like I did in my early twenties. Now, my “play hard” looks like plenty of self-care, traveling and discovering Ghana, or going out to a beautiful restaurant for supper. The main thing is that you work, work, work when necessary, and then take time to ENJOY life.

30. Live in the moment. “Never let waiting become a habit.” Take chances and follow your Dreams. Life is happening now.”


Akua


That is all there is to it. 30 life lessons I learnt before the age of 30, I can't wait to learn more in the next ten years, and I'm thrilled to have you all along for the ride.

                    








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